Anyone else have asthma?

nurseannie

Does anyone else have exercise induced asthma?

JDHINAZ

Sure do.

nurseannie

How long have you had it? Do you find your limited?

JDHINAZ

I've had asthma all my life. It was classified as chronic/acute early on. So, if I don't take my meds, I will be symptomatic. Acute as I can go into severe attacks quickly. Exercise has always brought it on and made it worse.

For the past few years, I've been taking Singulair and Advair. Since I've done that, and limited/eliminated the foods that can exasperate it, I've done very well. So well, that I don't take my rescue inhaler prior to exercise anymore and I simply don't have problems. I did join a gym because we tend to have a pollution problem where I live, and exercising outside is just not healthy on high pollution days. That may have helped, also. Also, chlorine pools tend to be something of an issue for me, particularly when the humidity is a little higher or the pollution is bad.

Last year my doctor said that the new school of thought with asthma is that even with exercise, if you have to reach for your rescue inhaler more than once every couple weeks, then your asthma is being undertreated. You may want to have a chat with your doc and see if there are any other options for you. I know Advair has come under scrutiny lately, but it's been a lifesaver for me.

nurseannie

Thanks

ballred57

I've had asthma all my life. It was classified as chronic/acute early on. So, if I don't take my meds, I will be symptomatic. Acute as I can go into severe attacks quickly. Exercise has always brought it on and made it worse.

For the past few years, I've been taking Singulair and Advair. Since I've done that, and limited/eliminated the foods that can exasperate it, I've done very well. So well, that I don't take my rescue inhaler prior to exercise anymore and I simply don't have problems. I did join a gym because we tend to have a pollution problem where I live, and exercising outside is just not healthy on high pollution days. That may have helped, also. Also, chlorine pools tend to be something of an issue for me, particularly when the humidity is a little higher or the pollution is bad.

Last year my doctor said that the new school of thought with asthma is that even with exercise, if you have to reach for your rescue inhaler more than once every couple weeks, then your asthma is being undertreated. You may want to have a chat with your doc and see if there are any other options for you. I know Advair has come under scrutiny lately, but it's been a lifesaver for me.

I've had asthma all my life and I agree with everything you've said. When I was young some of the doctors recommended I didn't participate in sports but my parents allowed me to swim and plan volleyball. They also encouraged me to be outside when I didn't have symptoms. Now as long as I have the right amount of inhaler and a good medicine I do well. But I still can't run without triggering an attack.

lyla29

All 3 of my kids have asthma, but not related to exercise. They get a bad cough when they get a normal cold, and then it is a really bad cough, sometimes hard enough to throw up :frown: . My oldest is taking singulair and advair, and it seems to help, but when it acts up, I have to give him other medications. I have read several things about advair also, but what I read is that the benefits outweigh the risks in most cases. I am hoping to get him to have allergy shots this year, but that is going to be difficult.

nurseannie

My best friend wants me to run with her and swim. But this always triggers an attack. I can't get the air in and I get so exausted. What are some of your favorite workouts that don't trigger an attack? I think I was diagnosed as a child but wasn't treated for it ever because my parents couldn't afford insurance for me.

nurseannie

I wonder, why do you take singular, is there an allergy component?

JDHINAZ

I've done the allergy shot therapy twice and experienced no significant relief. My brother, who also has severe asthma, has done them and done fairly well with it. I do still get more than my share of respiratory illnesses...it's an odd year I don't get bronchitis, and when that happens, I have to take rounds of antibiotics and steroids.

I know it's different for everyone, and it seems to be particularly difficult for children. Talk to your doctor, and if he seems to be somewhat nonagressive in his approach., go to someone else. Also, certain foods really can be a problem...for me it's dairy, soy, and too much citris. It can be a difficult disease, but it can also be manageable.

Chenoachem

All 3 of my kids have asthma, but not related to exercise. They get a bad cough when they get a normal cold, and then it is a really bad cough, sometimes hard enough to throw up :frown: . My oldest is taking singulair and advair, and it seems to help, but when it acts up, I have to give him other medications. I have read several things about advair also, but what I read is that the benefits outweigh the risks in most cases. I am hoping to get him to have allergy shots this year, but that is going to be difficult.

I have also had asthma all my life. Not exercise induced. It is always there. I was always discouraged to play in sports but in college I picked up running. That has helped a lot. I have taken advair at times and the benefits do outway the complications. Just make sure to rinse after using it to prevent mouth sores. I use Flovent MDI. It works better for me. I had gotten a package about asthma and athletics and caffeine was highly suggested. I have a cup of black tea when I come back from my runs and it immediately calms down my coughing. Sometimes having some before a workout helps too. I have confirmed this with doctors and they agree it works. I don't like the side effects of albuterol so I prefer this.

The trick is to start a new exercise slow and controlled and not get too excited.

nurseannie

I had heard about caffeine helping, but I wan't sure about how to avoid all the sugar. Now I know, black coffee Thanks

lyla29

I had never heard about caffeine. I don't know about giving my kids caffeine, since they have so much energy to start with. I will see what their doctor has to say when I go for their yearly check-up in a month.

JDHINAZ

Singulair is used both for asthma and treat those with seasonal allergy induced asthma. I take it and Advair year round. If jogging is a problem for you, then don't. Walk. Chances are any exercise that will make you breath hard will bring on asthma symptoms. But, if you have a time, a nice long walk can do wonders for you. I really encourage you to talk to your doctor more. PM me if you want to talk more.

christahollis

My best friend wants me to run with her and swim. But this always triggers an attack. I can't get the air in and I get so exausted. What are some of your favorite workouts that don't trigger an attack? I think I was diagnosed as a child but wasn't treated for it ever because my parents couldn't afford insurance for me.

If your best friend has a different fitness level than you, you may be jumping into something your body's just not ready for.
I've been an asthmatic all my life, and as a child I was prohibited from playing sports, running, or otherwise doing anything that could agitate my asthma. The nebulizer, the inhaler, the allergy medications, the recurring pneumonia...did it all.
A few years ago, I decided enough is enough...and if pro athletes like Jerome Bettis, formerly of the Steelers, can have asthma and still be athletes...then darn it...so could I. I was so tired of being told what I couldn't do, along with all the weight that came along with never doing.
But I started EVER SO SLOWLY. It took me months and months to work up to a mile of running, and even then, a 'real runner' friend of mine thought it was hilarious that I was jogging at 4 mph on the treadmill.
Now, I generally run around three miles, six days a week.

I never stop to use my inahler. I don't need other medications to keep it under control, and only have symptoms when I catch an upper respiratory infection.

Start slow.
Take it easy.
Trust your body to let you know how much it can handle at a time.

JDHINAZ

yes, caffiene absolutely helps. It is not a treatment, cure or preventative, but caffiene in the form of strong black coffee or tea, does help the symptoms. But, if you put sugar or any dairy in your coffee, or drink soda, forget it.

nurseannie

I hate to sound ignorant, but what does "PM me" mean?

JDHINAZ

By the way, lyla, I'm not suggesting you give caffiene to your kids without first talking to your doctor. It's not a home remedy. I would drink it when I was having a severe attack as it brought some miniscule relief until the folks could get me to the hospital. Your doctor or specialist can give you lots of information about how to help your kids. It's a tough road, but education is key. Good luck to everyone.

And back to exercise and asthma...exercise is strongly encouraged for asthmatics. The key is to work with your doctor to have the right meds to exercise and know what your individual triggers are, be it foods, pets, carpeting, humidity, dust, emotional distress, what have you.

Good luck everyone!

JDHINAZ

PM = personal message. Go to my profile and click the green button to send me an email.

Chenoachem

My best friend wants me to run with her and swim. But this always triggers an attack. I can't get the air in and I get so exausted. What are some of your favorite workouts that don't trigger an attack? I think I was diagnosed as a child but wasn't treated for it ever because my parents couldn't afford insurance for me.

If your best friend has a different fitness level than you, you may be jumping into something your body's just not ready for.
I've been an asthmatic all my life, and as a child I was prohibited from playing sports, running, or otherwise doing anything that could agitate my asthma. The nebulizer, the inhaler, the allergy medications, the recurring pneumonia...did it all.
A few years ago, I decided enough is enough...and if pro athletes like Jerome Bettis, formerly of the Steelers, can have asthma and still be athletes...then darn it...so could I. I was so tired of being told what I couldn't do, along with all the weight that came along with never doing.
But I started EVER SO SLOWLY. It took me months and months to work up to a mile of running, and even then, a 'real runner' friend of mine thought it was hilarious that I was jogging at 4 mph on the treadmill.
Now, I generally run around three miles, six days a week.

I never stop to use my inahler. I don't need other medications to keep it under control, and only have symptoms when I catch an upper respiratory infection.

Start slow.
Take it easy.
Trust your body to let you know how much it can handle at a time.

Exactly. It took me a year to build up to a 1 mile run outside. By the second year I was up to 6 miles. Starting is the hardest. Take it slow, know the triggers, and go.

I find this site helpful. http://www.asthmainformationguide.com/

fiftyandfit

I've had allergies since I was 6yrs...developed the asthma when we moved to Oregon in 2003....the grass pollen capital of the world! Found a wonderful asthma doctor. After several experiments with meds, we came up with Advair 500/50 daily to reduce the inflammation, Zyrtec (now over the counter) and Flonase. I still feel it a bit when I swim, take a hit off the ol' Albuterol before I jump in.